Gulliver+Preparatory+School+(GPS!)

= Gulliver Preparatory School  =

Miami, FL 305 666-7937, Jan Patterson or secretary, Hilda Sanchez at ext. 1456 = Assessments = IB has a rubric for each course called mark bands. Not based on %. Cannot take IB rubric and convert into our %. They’re more lenient. IB based on 7, not a 5.

= Downside to IB Program = We’re a school within a school so not everyone does IB. No downside except financially: training faculty and application fees. Florida has wonderful training sessions. (They are going TO HAVE a LATIN SESSION IN JUNE; IB NORTH AMER CONF in Miami in July this coming yr: overview, philosophy of IB, not just specific subj. Registration @ $800. Accommodations must be added. Atlanta has a very good center for information as well).

Effect on Curriculum = IB and AP Classes = IB and AP classes can be operated together, depending on the class; some subject areas match well; others not at all. In math, a section called Math Studies has no match; cal at the standard level; math higher level. Physics doesn’t match, nor Eng nor history. Lang is ok. If we run an AP and IB class together, it’s during junior year. Psychology had to be separated. AP is technically driven; IB uses broader brush – more writing – across the curriculum – portfolio. Some areas just don’t work. But students do have the option of taking AP in junior year.

= IB Courses and Levels = Stopped running middle yrs; just started back; pre IB courses in 9th and 10th – like prereqs We have college prep; honors, and PRE IB. Pre IB – science, his, and Eng; none in lang and math – b/c we don’t section off – have very advanced lang prog – also have Spanish as an A2. Don’t need to section off levels; but important in Biology, Eng and history. Bilingual diploma. Jan has IB parent meetings; they also have an orientation; Jan meet s with parents maybe 4 times a yr. They also have a pinning ceremony to honor entering juniors, and to applaud seniors for their successes.

= IB Requirements = We let the IB students bypass some requirements– like health. We have form that must be checked off. IB is the nicest organization to deal with; they’re extremely helpful and patient.

= Stresses = Most stress for students is in the junior year at the beginning—a lot of work involved for IB. . 98% pass rate for IB. We’re at crossroads – IB wants kids to have access to this program, so we’re looking at our philosophy – should we open up the program to more kids? The stress is the internal assessment et al. NO stipend for IB, or for advising on 4000-word essay. Service – advisors for creativity action service. Flip side – they’re getting the best students.

= Training = For new school, send someone for training – not just online so you develop a network and have one on one training – key people. Best organ are FL and Texas IB schools – called FLIBS and TIBS- assured of good traing. FLIBS are in ST. Petersb on the beach – nice event – collegial grp who runs it. TIBS uses Rice Univ. Usually about 3 days. FLIBS registration fee is $725, hotel is usu $129 a night – includes food. As for TIBS, not sure about their sessions.